Nintendo Switch vs Switch 2: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
A direct successor invites a direct comparison, and that’s what the Switch 2 and the Nintendo Switch get here, spec by spec. Of the 2 areas we compared, the Switch 2 wins 2. If one area explains the result, it’s memory & storage. And the price tags aren’t close: the Nintendo Switch came in $150 below the Switch 2 at launch.
At a glance
- Performance Switch 2 wins
- Memory & Storage Switch 2 wins
- Price Nintendo Switch wins
Key Differences
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The Switch 2 has 224 GB more built-in storage
The Switch 2’s 256 GB leaves the Nintendo Switch’s 32 GB well behind, so if this spec matters to you, the choice is easy. Modern games are large, so more built-in storage means fewer installs to juggle.
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The Nintendo Switch has a 0.30 lb lighter body
Not a close call. The Nintendo Switch lists 0.88 lb and the Switch 2 lists 1.18 lb. That’s a substantial gap. For home consoles, weight mostly matters when moving them; for handhelds, it matters every minute you play.
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The Switch 2 has hardware ray tracing
Whether it matters depends on your habits, but only one of these two gives you hardware ray tracing: the Switch 2. Hardware ray tracing enables more realistic lighting, shadows and reflections in games that support it.
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The Switch 2 has
For width, the figures are 10.71 in for the Switch 2 and 9.41 in for the Nintendo Switch. Treat it as a question of preference, not quality. Measure your space first; this is a fit question, not a performance one.
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The Switch 2 has
The Switch 2 has the larger figure, 4.57 in to 4.02 in. Whether that helps depends entirely on you. Neither is better in general; check it against the space you have.
Design & Size
- Nintendo Switch 9.41 in × 4.02 in × 0.55 in
- Switch 2 10.71 in × 4.57 in × 0.55 in
The Switch 2 is physically larger, so the Nintendo Switch will be the easier fit wherever space is limited. Weight-conscious buyers will note the Nintendo Switch’s 0.30 lb advantage.
Design & Size
| Spec | Nintendo Switch | Switch 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 9.41 in | 10.71 in |
| Height | 4.02 in | 4.57 in |
| Depth | 0.55 in | 0.55 in |
| Weight | 0.88 lb (winner) | 1.18 lb |
Performance
Switch 2 leads
The Nintendo Switch comes close on performance, but the Switch 2 does just enough to lead. The Switch 2 answers with hardware ray tracing. With the Switch 2, supported games can switch on ray-traced effects; the Nintendo Switch relies on traditional lighting techniques. If performance is your priority, the Switch 2 is the console to pick.
Hardware ray tracing
Nintendo Switch: no Switch 2: yes Ray tracing is demanding, so games often offer it as an optional mode that trades some frame rate for looks.
Memory & Storage
Switch 2 leads
Here the Switch 2 opens up one of its biggest leads in the comparison. The Switch 2 scores with 224 GB more built-in storage. With the Switch 2, you can keep more games ready to play without deleting old favorites. For anyone who cares most about memory & storage, the Switch 2 is the safer choice.
Built-in storage
Nintendo Switch: 32 GB Switch 2: 256 GB Check the expansion options in the table; extra storage can often be added later, at a cost.
Features & Media
The Nintendo Switch and the Switch 2 differ on features & media in ways that are described rather than measured. The table has the details.
Full Specifications
Performance
| Spec | Nintendo Switch | Switch 2 |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | NVIDIA custom Tegra processor | Custom NVIDIA processor |
| Max output resolution | 1080p (TV mode); 720p handheld | 4K (TV mode); 1080p handheld |
| Max frame rate | N/A (not specified) | 120 fps |
| Hardware ray tracing | No | Yes (winner) |
| Upscaling | N/A (not specified) | NVIDIA DLSS |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | Nintendo Switch | Switch 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in storage | 32 GB | 256 GB (winner) |
| Storage expansion | microSDXC, up to 2 TB | microSD Express, up to 2 TB |
Features & Media
| Spec | Nintendo Switch | Switch 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Disc drive | None (game cards) | None (game cards) |
| Handheld play | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in screen | 6.2-inch LCD, 1280×720 | 7.9-inch LCD, 1920×1080, HDR10, up to 120 Hz |
| Backward compatibility | N/A (not specified) | Most Nintendo Switch games |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 6 |
Design & Size
| Spec | Nintendo Switch | Switch 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 9.41 in | 10.71 in |
| Height | 4.02 in | 4.57 in |
| Depth | 0.55 in | 0.55 in |
| Weight | 0.88 lb (winner) | 1.18 lb |
Price
| Spec | Nintendo Switch | Switch 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $300 (winner) | $450 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
In launch price, the Nintendo Switch is the clear budget pick, coming in $150 (50%) below the Switch 2. Spending the extra $150 on the Switch 2 gets you 224 GB more built-in storage and hardware ray tracing over the Nintendo Switch.
Based on US launch pricing as of June 2025. Deals and regional pricing can change the picture.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Nintendo Switch if…
- you want the lighter console (0.88 lb vs 1.18 lb)
- you want more value for your money ($150 less at launch)
- you don’t need what the newer model adds
Choose the Switch 2 if…
- you want more built-in storage (256 GB vs 32 GB)
- you want hardware ray tracing
- you plan to keep it for a long time and want to start from the newer generation
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Nintendo Switch or the Switch 2?
The Switch 2 wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless you bought the Nintendo Switch recently.
Is the Switch 2 worth it over the Nintendo Switch?
It’s one of the more worthwhile generational jumps: the Switch 2 offers 224 GB more built-in storage and hardware ray tracing compared with the Nintendo Switch.
Is the Nintendo Switch bigger than the Switch 2?
The Switch 2 takes that one. With dimensions of 10.71 × 4.57 × 0.55 in, it is larger than the Nintendo Switch (9.41 × 4.02 × 0.55 in).
Does the Nintendo Switch perform better than the Switch 2?
The Switch 2 should be the quicker of the two, with hardware ray tracing on its side.
Is the Nintendo Switch cheaper than the Switch 2?
Going by launch prices, the Nintendo Switch costs $150 less than the Switch 2. Prices as of June 2025; current offers may differ.
Which weighs less, the Nintendo Switch or the Switch 2?
The Nintendo Switch is lighter, by 0.30 lb.
Executive Summary
Upgrading from the Nintendo Switch to the Switch 2 sounds like a no-brainer. I’m not sure it always is. I’d put 224 GB more built-in storage at the top of the list, and it belongs to the Switch 2. Beyond that, hardware ray tracing gives the Switch 2 another edge. The Nintendo Switch isn’t without merit: a 0.30 lb lighter body is a real advantage.
For portability, the Nintendo Switch fits better. For performance, the Switch 2 is the better match.
My pick: if it were my money, the Switch 2, but I wouldn’t upgrade from the Nintendo Switch without a specific reason.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.